Sound-reproducing device



SOUND REPRODUCING DEVICE Filed Aug. 1. 1925 J'J'Oberai,

Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES,

PERRY Y. HODGE, OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW Y OBK.

SOUND-REPRODUCING DEVICE.

. Application filed August 1, 1923. Serial No. 655,087.

My invention relates to sound reproducers, such as are confined within or associated with a sound box.

lVhile the invention is particularly designed for use in connection with phonographio records, it may be used in various other capacities, or in connection with various other devices by means of which sound is carried electrically or otherwise, and the action thereof imparted to the sound reproducing diaphragms of the device.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a sound reproducer wherein all insulation or cushioning devices usually employed between the diaphragm and its supporting frame are dispensed with.

Another object of my invention is to so construct the sound reproducer that all harsh or metallic sounds are eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sound reproducer in which the vibrations of the sound reproducing diaphragms are communicated to the supporting frame and the sound chamber containing the device by reason of the framework being rigidly secured to a wall or walls of said sound chamber and also owing to the direct contact on the diaphragms with said framework. I

A still further objectv of my invention is to construct the device with two diaphragms so formed and constructed that the harmonic vibrations are changed to avoid all harsh, screechy or excessively loud sounds at any point within the sound or vibration ranges of the diaphragm's.

A still further object of my invention is to improve on sound reproducers now in use so that the vibrations of the primary element of the device will be imparted simultaneously to the spaced sound reproducing diaphragms; the various parts being so related that said diaphragm vibrate in unison and preferably in opposition.

Vith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings I Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the sound reproducing device within a sound box, thelatter being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device within the sound box, the latter being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the sound reproducer proper, taken on line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a. transverse section taken on line H, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5, Fig. 3.

' Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section through a portion of one of the sound reproducing diaphragms.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the direction-changing elements whereby the vibratory movement is imparted to the sound reproducing diaphragms at an angle to the direction in which the primary vibrating element moves.

Referring to the drawings indetail, the

- reference numeral 8 designates a sound box,

which may be of any desired construction; that shown being merely one of many types now in use, and within this sound box is arranged my improved sound reproducing device proper, designated as a Whole by the numeral 9.

This device comprises two end members 10, 11, preferably of open-ring or circular formation, and connector members 12, forming substantially a skeleton frame. In preferred form, each end member comprises two hoop-like elements 13, 14, which may be constructed of any ,metallic or other nonyielding material, and between which the marginal portions of the sound reproducing diaphragms 15, 16, respectively, are fastened. These diaphragms are co-axial and preferably made of textile material, indicated by the numeral 17 in Fig. 6, coated with shellac or similar substances on'both sides thereof, as indicated by the numeral 18 in said figure.

It is of course understood that the diaphragms may be formed of other suitable material, with or without shellac coating, as

, may be desired;

wall or walls of the sound box 8, thereby serving to transmit the vibrations of the framework to said walls by reason of the rigid attachment of the framework to. said wall or walls, so provided. It will be'noted, therefore, that-the diaphragms are unyieldingly attached to the-framework owing to the absence of gaskets or cushions, such as are invariably employed in devices of this kind, and assurance is'therefore given that the sounds will be discharged from the sound box under full resonance.

' One of the connector members 12 has two pairs of inwardly-directedlugs 21 formed thereon, the lugs of each pair being spaced apart transversely and the two pairs of lugs being spaced apartlongitudinally.

Pivotally secured between each pair of lugs is a direction-changing element 22 in the form of an elbow lever, a pivot pin 23 being passed through each of said levers at the angle thereof and through the lugs 21 between which said lever is arranged. In preferred construction, each lever is channelshaped in cross section, asclearly shown in Fig. 5, but it will be noted that one of said levers is narrower than the other and that the side walls of eachchannel-shaped arm extends beyond the edge wall, provid ng spaced ears which form a forked'extension 24 at each end of the'lever, for a purpose to appear hereinafter. p

The narrow elbow lever 22 has the forked extension of its longitudinally-disposed arm positioned between the forked extension of the corresponding arm of the opposite lever, and positioned within the forked extension of said narrow lever is a primary vibrating element 25 which is in the form of a wire or rod having an eye 26 at one end through whichandthe forked extensions of the longitudinally-disposed arms of both elbow levers,

a pivot pin 27 is passed, thus connecting said primary vibrating element with said elbow leversand causing the latter to move in unison when said primary vibrating element vibrates lengthwise,

To theopposite forked extension or end of each elbow lever, a secondary vibrating element 28, in the form ota w1re or rod, is

attached, each of said wires or rods 28 having an eye fitting in the last-mentioned forked end of said lever and being held therein by a pivot pin 29. These rods are in alinement and passed axially through the sound reproducing diaphragins 15, 16, and also through cork or similar disks 30 fastened centrally to the outer side of each of said diaphragms, said wires or rods having their outer ends threaded; and to said threaded endsnuts 31 are applied.

It will be apparent that the vibratory action of the primary vibrating element or rod 25 is at a right angle to the axis of the sound reproducing device and that the movement thereof is imparted to the secondary vibrating'elements or rods 28 through the medium of the elbow levers 22, thereby causing the diaphragms 15, 16 to vibrate so that the sound produced thereby is carried out of the sound box. disks 30, or other similar disks, all harsh or metallic sounds are eliminated.

When using this device in connection with a phonograph or other sound reproducing machine, the stylus adapted to travel over the record of the machine may be attached to or connected with the primary vibrating element 25; or, said element 25 may be attached to any electrically operated device causing vibrations, and I prefer in a broad sense to refer to a record or to said-electrically operated device as a serving element or device, since both may be employed to cause the wire or rod 25 to vibrate and thus through the medium of. the elbow levers 22 and the wir s orrods 28 cause vibration of the diaphragins 15 and 16 v p The end niemhers'or diaphragm frames, as they may be termed, are of different diameters and therefore the diaphragms secured thereto vary in size, or may be said to have different areas; that designated 15 being somewhat larger than the diaphragm 16. By using diaphragms spaced apart and of different sizes or diameters, the harmonic vibrations are changed and all harsh screechy or excessively loud sounds at any! point within the sound or vibration ranges of the diaphragms are thus eliminated, making it possible to reproduce with equal resonance and clearness, all sounds between the extreme high and low points within the range of the device. 7 I

It is of course to be understood that if the sound box is formed otherwise than shown inthe drawings, brackets only may be used, or the legs only may be employed, depending on conditions presented; these brackets and legs being merely shown as a lneans to rigidly connect the frame of the device with the walls of the sound box shown in the drawing, but variations in such parts would necessarily be made when the formation of the sound box is chan ed. ,It is, however, higly desirablein order to embody one of the features of my invention that the device berigidly connected to a wall or walls of the sound box. I

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaimis: .f V v 1. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a sound box oftwo open sound box, spaced diaphragms carried by said frame, and vibratory mechanism con- By the use of the cork center nected axially with both diaphragms to cause them to vibrate contrariwise in unison.

3. A sound reproducing device comprising a frame having spaced end members formed of hoop-like members arranged one within the other and longitudinal connector members connecting said hoop-like end members, a diaphragm having its marginal portion clamped between the hoop-like elements of each end member of said frame, a primary vibrating element, alined secondary vibrating elements connected axially with said diaphragms and vibrating in a direction right angles to that of said primary vibrating element, and directional-changing mechanism between said primary vibrating element and said secondary vibrating elements.

4:. A device of the kind described, comprising a skeleton frame having h0op-like end members and a plurality of longitudinal connector members connecting said end members, one of said connector members having two pairs of inwardly-directed lugs, diaphragms applied to said end members,

an elbow lever pivotally connected between each pair of said lugs, alined oppositelydisposed vibrating elements connected with corresponding arms of said elbow levers and being axially attached to said diaphragms, and a vibrating element connected with the ends of the other arms of said elbow levers.

5. The combination with a sound box, of a metallic skeleton frame therein, spaced diaphragms having their marginal portions in physical contact with the metal of said frame and permanently attached thereto, means for causing said diaphragms to virate, the vibrations of said diaphragms being contrary, and a rigid connection between a wall of said sound box and said frame.

6. In a device of the kind described, a pair of spaced co-axial diaphragms of different superficial areas, and means between said diaphragms to cause them to vibrate contrariwise in unison.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature,

PERRY Y. HODGE. 

